The fallout from President Yoweri Museveni’s damning letter to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has reached a dramatic turning point, with over 80 employees officially dismissed from the institution on Thursday in the first wave of a larger purge.
According to inside sources, the affected employees were drawn from various departments across UCAA, marking a serious escalation of the President’s directive issued in late June, which called for the dismissal of 152 staff members over allegations of forged academic qualifications and irregular recruitment.
The Thursday exits come just weeks after internal investigations, led by Human Resource Director Sabah Ahmed Kakooza—with backing from State Minister for Works Fred Byamukama—uncovered widespread anomalies in recruitment practices, with some implicated staff holding high-level positions despite lacking required qualifications.
Although Director General Fred Bamwesigye had previously appealed for procedural fairness and set up a disciplinary committee to handle the cases individually, the wave of exits now signals that the presidential order is being executed with urgency and resolve.
One official who requested anonymity said:
“It was a somber day. People were called in, handed letters, and told they were among those affected. The list cut across departments—aviation security, operations, engineering, HR—you name it.”
This major shake-up has further intensified the climate of fear and instability within UCAA, which is already facing allegations of a shady insurance scheme being introduced by the board under the leadership of retired Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma. That proposed change is reportedly being resisted by internal staff amid claims of kickbacks and intimidation.
With more than 70 additional staff still expected to be dismissed in line with Museveni’s total figure of 152, insiders say the worst may yet be ahead for the civil aviation body.
No official statement has been issued by UCAA management as of the time of publishing.